Scotty was right.

Quote :

"Stronger than glass, various military and commercial applications for this remarkable material are already being tested. What was once used in the science-fiction Star Trek movies, see-through aluminum is now something that - through test mixing with rubies, sapphires and more - is now being tried out in all kinds of ways to create transparency where strength is also required. For now, it is used in static-free transparent aluminum wrapping for computer parts and other electronics. It is also being tested in otherwise-conventional see-through soda cans and military shielding for vehicles where windows once were. At over ten dollars per square inch, however, it is still not cheap enough for mainstream everyday use - but may be someday soon. "

http://www.geekologie.com/2010/09/the_future_is_now_transparent.php

9/16/2010 4:07:11 PM

pretty cool but

Quote :

"over ten dollars per square inch"

holy fuck

9/16/2010 4:08:06 PM

You mean aluminium?

9/16/2010 4:11:35 PM

you mean al-you-minium

also that soda can just looks weird

[Edited on September 16, 2010 at 4:12 PM. Reason : .]

9/16/2010 4:12:18 PM

If they could make it cheaper, I would buy soda only in cans just because of this. Looks awesome.

9/16/2010 4:19:07 PM

If only there were already some sort of clear soda container....

9/16/2010 4:22:42 PM

If they put that josta drank in clear cans I would buy the shit out of it

9/16/2010 4:23:42 PM

Quote :

"If only there were already some sort of clear soda container...."

It looks cooler in cans.

9/16/2010 4:26:23 PM

Quote :

"buy the shit out of it"

9/16/2010 4:26:49 PM

I googled "surface area of a soda can" just so I could figure out how much a can of that would cost at $10/sq in.

Unfortunately, I just got a bunch of geometry problems and no answers. I don't do math on Thursdays so someone else can tackle that one.

9/16/2010 4:30:05 PM

they must be using it more as a corundum of sorts. since all corundum (sapphire and rubies are an aluminum oxide). This is very interesting.

9/16/2010 4:39:07 PM

5" h x 8.5" circumference/length = 42.5in^2 x 10 = 425$ dollar bucks for a can

9/16/2010 4:40:44 PM

^^^

Quote :

"The dimensions are 4.8 inches high and 2.5 inch in diameter."

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071225205341AAap6Nj

7.8 in for circumference of can
7.8 in * 4.8 in tall = 37.44 si for the cylinder
Assume d=2.35 in for top and bottom
4.33 * 2 = 8.67 si for top and bottom

46.11 si/can * $10/si = $461/can

[Edited on September 16, 2010 at 4:41 PM. Reason : -]

9/16/2010 4:41:39 PM

Quote :

"I don't do math on Thursdays"

lol, why exactly?

9/16/2010 4:42:59 PM

I just can't understand how they are making it flexible.

9/16/2010 4:43:18 PM

Quote :

"HOW DOES IT WORK?"

9/16/2010 4:43:39 PM

Two hours of calc on Wednesdays. Normally I get hammed afterwards and don't do much thinking on Thursdays.

9/16/2010 4:44:27 PM

Quote :

"POST CALC HAMMING"

9/16/2010 4:45:53 PM

Quote :

"DRINKING ON THURSDAYS."

9/16/2010 4:46:28 PM

I love that scene in the OP. And Star Trek has been right about and/or inspired many products and concepts.

9/16/2010 5:37:46 PM

[new]

9/16/2010 5:44:10 PM

looks like there is transparent aluminum oxynitride that the govt uses for military, wich might be what they are using since it is so lightweight.

They can make real aluminum see thru, but not long and not a large area using a soft x-ray and knocking out a core electron from all the atoms.

9/16/2010 5:46:30 PM

It excites me mainly because it gives me a much better shot at having a pimp whale tank when I finally do something with my unfinished basement.

9/16/2010 5:57:29 PM

$10/in^2 is a useless number without knowing the thickness.

9/16/2010 6:03:46 PM

That's what she said.

9/16/2010 6:05:24 PM